
Is there anything more iconic from your childhood than Air Fryer Copycat Hostess Cupcakes? I mean, you have the cream and delicious filling with the homemade chocolate icing, with the trademark white curly line on top.
Today, I kicked it up a notch; not only did I make my kids a great big plate of Homemade Hostess Cupcakes, but I also prepared them in the air fryer. You still get the same great and delicious cupcake filled with homemade filling, but you get a moist and yummy cupcake. Nothing is better in the air fryer than baked goods!
If you are looking for other great and easy air fryer dessert recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER BANANA BREAD, AIR FRYER PEANUT BUTTER BANANA EGG ROLLS, AIR FRYER M&M MUG COOKIE and AIR FRYER CHURRO DONUTS.

Easy Air Fryer Copycat Hostess Cupcakes Recipe
If you read this recipe, I am sure that you know exactly what a Hostess Cupcake tastes like, and you will not be disappointed in this copycat recipe.
My kid’s favorite part (and probably many other people’s) of the Hostess Experience is the creamy marshmallow filling.
One of the best things about baking in the air fryer is the baked goods come out amazing! Absolutely amazing!
Hostess Cupcake Ingredients

With a few ingredients from your pantry and a few more from your refrigerator, you can make a whole batch for you and your family.
Cupcake Ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Granulated Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Vegetable Oil
- Eggs
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Warm Water
Filling Ingredients:
- Butter
- Marshmallow Creme
- Powdered Sugar
- Heavy Cream
Glaze Ingredients:
- Semi-Sweet Baking Bar
- Heavy Cream
How to Make Hostess Cupcakes

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, heavy cream, oil, eggs and vanilla, until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Whisk in the water until smooth.

Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F, air fryer setting. Fill the silicone cupcakes liners or cupcake pan of your choice with batter 2/3 the way full. Air Fry for 9 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You will have to air fry in batches. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the filling by adding the butter to a medium-sized bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Mix in the marshmallow cream and mix to combine. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Fold in the marshmallow cream and mix to combine. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Fold in 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream and mix on low until combined, then turn up the speed to medium and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. If it seems too thick to pipe, mix in the additional heavy cream.
Add the filling to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip that can piece the cupcake. Place the piping tip into the center of the cupcake and gently fill the inside. You will feel the cupcake puff up slightly in your hand. Continue with the remaining cupcakes.

For the glaze, add the chopped chocolate to a medium-sized bowl. Heat the cream until it simmers, immediately takes it off the heat, and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for about 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk to combine until smooth.
Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the glaze, or you can smooth a little on top with a butter knife or spatula.
Take any leftover filling and pie a curly q on top of each cupcake.

Some Pro Tips When Making Air Fryer Copycat Hostess Cupcakes-
- Only fill the cupcake tin or silicone cup 2/3 the way full otherwise, they will overfill, and the excess batter will spill over into the air fryer basket.
- If you do not have a piping bag, use a Ziploc bag, fill the bag with the filling, and cut the end off.
- Let the cupcakes completely cool before you fill them; otherwise, the filing will runoff.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Hostess Cupcakes
If you have any leftover cupcakes, place them into an airtight container and then place them into the refrigerator.
The cupcakes will last for about 3 or 4 days. After that discard.
Can You Freeze Homemade Air Fryer Copycat Hostess Cupcakes?
Just like other cupcakes, you can freeze them. You do not want to fill them before freezing.
To freeze the cupcakes, let them cool to room temperature, place them into an airtight container, and then place them into the freezer.
They will last about 2 months. To use, thaw them in the refrigerator or on the counter. Then proceed with the recipe (making the filling and glazing).
Some Other Great & Easy Air Fryer Dessert Recipes-
- AIR FRYER APPLE CRANBERRY BREAD
- AIR FRYER M&M MUG COOKIE
- EASY AIR FRYER OREO CINNAMON ROLLS
- AIR FRYER RASPBERRY WONTONS
- AIR FRYER CHERRY CHEESECAKE EGG ROLLS
Some Helpful Products Used In Making This Recipe-
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.


Air Fryer Copycat Hostess Cupcakes
Description
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
Filling:
- 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted, room temperature
- 1 cup Marshmallow Cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
Glaze:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet baking ba, fine chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, heavy cream, oil, eggs and vanilla, until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Whisk in the water until smooth.
- Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F, air fryer setting. Fill the silicone cupcakes liners or cupcake pan of your choice with batter 2/3 the way full. Air Fry for 9 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You will have to air fry in batches. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, make the filling by adding the butter to a medium-sized bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Mix in the marshmallow cream and mix to combine. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Fold in the marshmallow cream and mix to combine. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Fold in 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream and mix on low until combined, then turn up the speed to medium and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. If it seems too thick to pipe, mix in the additional heavy cream.
- Add the filling to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip that can piece the cupcake. Place the piping tip into the center of the cupcake and gently fill the inside. You will feel the cupcake puff up slightly in your hand. Continue with the remaining cupcakes
- For the glaze, add the chopped chocolate to a medium-sized bowl. Heat the cream just until it simmers, immediately take it off the heat, and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for about 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk to combine until smooth.
- Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the glaze, or you can smooth a little on top with a butter knife or spatula.
- Take any leftover filling and pie a curly q on top of each cupcake.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket or Air Fryer Oven
- Cooking Spray, or Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Muffin Tin, Muffin Pan, or reusable silicone molds
Nutrition
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